Dr. William Edward Rudd came to Salem from Hartville, Missouri in 1902 to practice medicine. During World War I, he volunteered his services in the medical field and advanced from Captain to Major in the Medical Corps. He belonged to several local organizations in Salem, served on the committee that spearheaded the building of the First Baptist Church, and was associated with the First National Bank as a director and vice-president. He married Carrie A. Adelmann on October 22, 1902. Dr. William Edward Rudd lived from 7/3/1870 to 4/22/1937, and Carrie A. Rudd lived from 9/6/1869 to 8/20/1944.